News & Events

Social Bite Homeless Village Launches in Capital

A village providing housing for
homeless people is being launched in Edinburgh.

It has been built by the social enterprise Social Bite, and aims
to offer support and opportunities to residents as well as
accommodation.

The homeless village was developed on vacant land in Granton and
is made up of 10 two-bedroom houses.

The houses were built off-site before being erected in Granton
ahead of the residents moving in this summer.

Social Bite said it hopes this will provide a new approach to
homelessness, where people can have a steady base, rather than rely
on hostels and B&Bs.

As well as having a place to stay, there will be a hub where
residents can meet socially and get support and advice on issues
such as job opportunities.

Waking
support

Josh Littlejohn, co-founder of Social Bite, said: "It is a really
beautiful community environment that's been created here. This was
just a piece of derelict wasteland that was owned by Edinburgh
Council.

"We asked them if they would give us the land for a period of
time, they agreed and this has been about 18 months in progress to
raise the money and to develop this.

"Ultimately when it's fully fledged there will be 20 people who
have all come from a situation of homelessness, whether that's
people living in night shelters or hostels or homeless bed and
breakfasts.

"There is also a big central community hub so people can
socialise, there is a big communal eating area and kitchen and we
are partnering with a charity called the Cyrenians to deliver quite
an intensive on-site support.

"There is going to be five full-time support staff - there will
be 24-hour waking support."